As an 80s child, the concept of family that I was taught about is very different to the one that my six-year-old daughter is exposed to – both at home and at school. It has evolved evolved so much, and that is a good thing. Family is no longer the conventional status quo of mom, dad and 2.5 children. These days, families come blended, some with same-sex couples, others with single parents – and while each one is unique, love and acceptance are the common threads.

A more accepting society has also opened the door to more safe homes for children that need them. June is National Fostering Awareness Month and as Jacqueline Hogge outlines in her story in this edition of Irish Country Living, Tusla is actively looking for more people to consider being a foster carer.

Those who apply can be single, in same-sex couples or they could already be parents. The person may have a disability, or be of a different ethnic background and there is no upper limit in terms of age. Home ownership isn’t a pre-requisite – potential carers can be renters – or they could be looking for a job. Obviously, there are plenty of factors that need to be assessed to determine a person’s suitability but at the heart of it, the best carers are those that can provide a stable, nurturing and loving environment, relate well to children and demonstrate flexibility, openness and patience.

ADVERTISEMENT

These are some of the characteristics that Breeda and Micheál Walsh from Ballycastle in Co Mayo demonstrated when the couple, who were in their early 50s at the time, received a call to say three sisters were on the way to their farm. With a few hours’ notice, and with the youngest girl just two at the time, you can imagine the scene when Micheál says that first weekend was a whirlwind of cots, car seats and chaos. What becomes clear as you read the piece, is not just the steady and caring influence that Breeda and Micheál have had on the girls – but also the beautiful effect these girls have had on their family and farm, not least in the fact that Micheál’s Dexter cows now proudly sport entertaining Disney names like Moana and Aurora. Breeda says that watching these girls develop and grow in confidence and seeing their little personalities emerge has been “so rewarding”.

A more accepting society has also opened the door to more safe homes for children that need them. June is National Fostering Awareness Month and as Jacqueline Hogge outlines in her story on this edition of Irish Country Living, Tusla is actively looking for more people to consider being a foster carer.

Tusla outlines that as every child is different and unique, so too are the homes they require. There are currently 3,782 approved foster carers nationwide, providing safe, stable and nurturing homes. The total number of children and young people needing care in this country is 5,729 and while 5,042 are currently assigned, that number represents 88% of the total, so more help is needed.

Behind those statistics are the children that need support – like Ethan, a kind, respectful and soft-spoken eight-year-old boy who loves animals and being goofy with his friends; Darragh, a caring and thoughtful six-year-old who enjoys school, art and playing Lego, and who loves to chat; or Keira, a happy baby who has been thriving since she was born in April who needs a safe, stable and nurturing home where she can grow and discover the world around her. While these names have been changed for privacy reasons, they are real children currently in need of carers.

Being a foster parent can be challenging, especially if the time comes where they have to say goodbye to a child, but for many families of all shapes and sizes, it also brings great joy.